Month: May 2023

A great way to start painting again.

Let me begin with I have no affiliation with this author/artist.  My daughter bought me this lovely workbook called “Watercolor book vol 1 botanicals by Sara Cray.”  I love it! In it she has projects with pre drawn subjects.  Each project focuses on a type of technique using watercolors.  I like that I don’t have to search and draw out subject matter which is overwhelming at this point. Each project actually has a watercolor paper with a drawing lightly printed and can be removed to frame. At this point I want to get a handle on the painting part.  So this is perfect in my opinion to learn and practice.  I’ve taken pictures of my progress of this painting.  Also the info of the book if anyone is interested in it. This project took me less than an hour.

Using waterproof ink pen
Adding flowers and splatter loosely rendered
Finished
Instructions

Memorial Day Weekend

I’m so grateful to all the veterans and their families for the sacrifice to keep us free and safe.

I hope everyone is having a peaceful weekend. I visited my mom and dad and planted marigolds at the headstone. It makes me feel good to honor them for all they did for me.

I’m gearing up to start my 30 in 30 starting June first. I pulled out and organized my paints and what have you. I did paint 4 small paintings about 4 x4 inches in size.

It was an interesting painting session to say the least. I realized I forgot a lot of the rules.,1. Let first layer dry, before marching on wet on wet is great untill it isn’t… 2. Plan your painting a little bit…thumb nail figure out your lights and darks. 3. Don’t give up too soon. I think I could finish these off by adding some details over these little paintings..who knows I just may. Here they are in their little beginner painted glories. I feel like a beginner again and that’s perfectly ok.☺️

Group shot
A lilac bush that is not your typical purple color. These are tiny pinky color,need to work on figuring out that color
Same lilac bush
Petunias and geraniums
Just color wet on wet play

So there you go. Hope everyone has a great weekend,we are having gorgeous weather here in the northeast

Getting organized

After a very long break from painting,I have promised my self I will give it a go again.   Feeling like I’m starting over again.   I started to look at my supplies,and to figure out the ” in studio painting” and ” plein air  painting”

So I need an area I can leave my paints out. Half the time just getting everything out to paint is a huge turn off .

I’ve always had an interest in plein air so this is about getting organized.  After pulling out out all the possible bags I own to pack my painting bag.  Figured this is my best solution.

My let’s go painting bag

In here I managed to fit my “Meeden tripod”. My little seat,water color paper, palette,brushes, rags, small bottles of water and two plastic containers for clean and dirty water,pencils eraser and tape.  I’m sure I will add more but for now this will work

So this tripod set up is really neat.  There is a shelf to mix  colors hold water and what have you. My palette has a small mixing surface. So may just use it as a shelf.

These 3 photos show the different heights the tripod can be adjusted to. It is a bit flimsy so it is important to weight it down so wind doesn’t carry it away
I use this “aquatote”  which I put my jars of water and extra rags, tape.

Thanks for stopping by. I’m heading out to paint.have a great day!

Pulling out the paints!

I have very good news, indeed. I’ve finally retired from my fabulous day job. I’m free to enjoy all my creative joys. Looking forward to just putting paint to paper. Enjoying the journey that will unfold in the months to come.

I will be doing another 30 paintings a day for the month of June. So stay tuned it will be all about spring. I hope any of you who would like to join along. Please post your links in the comment to see what you are painting as well. Happy Spring!!!

Purple Gems